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According to the CDC, there is one death every 11 minutes due to suicide. September is Suicide Prevention Month and Rebecca Hershman, a Corewell Health psychotherapist, joins the Fox 17 Morning Mix to educate us on how we can help prevent suicides.
Warning signs for those at risk of suicide are:
- Feelings of hopelessness, or having no reason to live
- Threatening to or talking about wanting to die or kill oneself
- Loss of interest in activities or decline in work/school performance
- Withdrawal from friends and family, isolating or feeling isolated
- Change in eating or sleeping habits
- Giving away personal possessions
- Increase in reckless behavior & drug and/or alcohol use
- Difficulty concentrating, completing daily tasks, or making decisions
- Talking about feeling unbearable pain
- Exhibiting extreme mood swings or showing rage
- Talking about feeling trapped or a burden to others
- Looking for access to firearms, pills, or other lethal means
If a friend or loved one is displaying those warning signs, there are ways to start a conversation on how to help them.
- Talk about warning signs you’ve noticed
- Asking about their thoughts directly
- Highlighting the reason you’re asking is because you care and you’re concerned
- If they do discuss suicide—stay with them and talk about different options (ED, psych urgent care, contact physician) until they’re safe and the next steps are secured
- Reduction of lethal means
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, reach out to the following resources:
- National Suicide Prevention Hotline—988 (text or call)
- National alliance on mental illness --800-950-6264
- Calling 911
- Going to a local hospital or psych urgent care
- OK2say.com- online reporting (public or private schools in Michigan, local law enforcement, behavioral health services for a timely response)
